Did you know that over 1700 chemicals are banned from being used in beauty products in Europe but only 30 are banned in the US? Kinda crazy, right? But what does that have to do with gut health?
Many of the chemicals commonly used in beauty and skincare products have been connected to health issues like metabolic dysfunction, hormone imbalance, gut disruption, infertility and cancer. Unfortunately, personal care products in the US are very poorly regulated (as suggested by the 30 banned ingredients) which means it’s up to us to choose products that don’t put our health at risk.
What does this mean for your gut health?
These chemicals affect gut health in multiple ways. They can directly cause changes to things like your gut lining, your microbiome composition or production of digestive enzymes and bile acids (these both help with the break down and absorption of your food.) These changes can impair basic digestive function, make you more susceptible to pathogens or overgrowths and cause leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut refers to condition in which small gaps develop between the cells of your intestinal wall. This allows substances to pass from the digestive tract to the blood stream and can lead to skin issues, food sensitivities, brain fog and other symptoms related to the gut and beyond.
It’s a big deal for your hormones, too.
Gut imbalance can lead to hormone imbalance but many chemicals impact hormones directly as well. These chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, contribute to imbalances that cause thyroid disorders, PCOS, infertility, etc. Hormones act as chemical messengers in the body, meaning they provide signals and communication that keep many of the body’s systems in balance. Endocrine disruptors can mimic hormones or alter hormone production, both of which result in incorrect messaging throughout the body that over time leads to metabolic and hormonal dysfunction.
What about our detox system?
Yes, we all have a built-in detox system, but increased exposure to toxins creates a lot more work for your liver whose job it is to get rid of all harmful/unwanted substances from the body. Everyday your liver works to eliminate broken down hormones and other natural byproducts of being alive in addition to things like alcohol, medications and whatever outside chemicals we encounter. Your liver can handle a lot, however, we are exposed to so many chemicals in our modern world that it can get backed up a lot more easily. When the liver is too busy getting rid of external toxins (from plastic, pollution, skincare, etc) it has to pause getting rid of things like hormones and natural wastes which means they stay in circulation causing further gut and hormone imbalances.
Where to start making changes
If you’re dealing with poor gut health (such as IBS, SIBO, chronic bloating, food sensitivities, etc), autoimmune conditions or hormone imbalance (including infertility, thyroid issues, PCOS, etc) limiting exposure to harmful chemicals and environmental toxins is an important part of supporting healing.
That being said, exposure to some chemicals/toxins is just part of the world we live in so it’s important to see the goal as improvement vs perfection. Personal care products can be a good place to start because they are often something we use daily. Other things to consider include household cleaners, laundry detergent or plastic storage containers.
It can be overwhelming to think about replacing all of your products, so I usually recommend replacing what you have with safer options as they run out. That way you aren’t looking at a huge financial investment or decision fatigue as you try to figure out what the best products are. It’s also important to note that a lot of companies are guilty of “greenwashing” which means they use marketing that implies their products are free of harmful chemicals even though they don’t actually make a clean product.
Finding a few brands or resources that you trust can take a lot of the stress and guesswork out of it. The EWG’s Skin Deep Database is a great resource if want to look up a specific product or find new ones.
These are some of my favorite brands/products, many of which I’ve been using for years.
Beautycounter
I’ve been a brand advocate for Beautycounter for many years. They were actually how I learned about the sub-par standard of the beauty industry when I was still in school to become a dietitian. Beautycounter is on a mission to not only create safer products but also to change beauty industry standards by advocating for better laws.
I’ve been using their make-up, skincare and hair care products ever since, mostly because they work, but also because I love a one-stop-shop to simplify decision making. Some of my favorite products include their Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, Charcoal Face Mask, All Bright C Serum, Daily Shampoo/Conditioner and the entire SPF line.
You can easily check out and shop my favorites here.
*Please note, if you select me as your brand advocate at check out, I do receive a commission. I appreciate your support and always only recommend brands/products I personally use and love.
Other Make-up and Skincare Faves
- Ilia Beauty – I’m a die-hard fan of their Limitless Lash Mascara.
- Credo Beauty – This online “clean beauty” retailer carefully selects the brands they sell so you can trust that whatever you buy will be free of harmful ingredients. This makes it so easy when you want to try out new products. You can find everything from haircare to fragrances.
If you’re interested in using functional nutrition and lifestyle interventions to improve gut health or hormone imbalance, you can learn more about my 1:1 coaching program here.
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